Learning at Schechter
From scribbles to ideas. From Aleph to algebra. From singing to selfhood.
At Schechter, learning is a journey of becoming.We begin by honoring each child’s natural curiosity—inviting questions, nurturing play, and building core skills through connection and joy.
We create humans here. They should be kind, thoughtful, curious, confident, creative, critical, and passionate. These are the kinds of people that will be prepared to articulate and achieve their dreams, build relationships, overcome setbacks, and do what it takes to create a better world for the Jewish community and the whole world. The stakes of this project are high, the opportunity and responsibility are vast, and we are up for the task.
Our integrated, values-driven approach ensures that learning is never just about what they know—it’s about how they think, what they care about and the kind of person they’re becoming.
What Does Education Look Like at Schechter?
Indivisible learning: Every single thing we do in school should be in the service of this project. This includes what happens at arrival, tefilot, in the halls, and of course, in core classes. All staff and faculty should constantly ask themselves: “How is what I am doing creating humans?”
Rise to the challenge: Kids should feel like the things they are learning are really pushing them. Kids should feel like there is so much more to know than they do know. School should feel hard (in a good way!)
Meaning motivates: Kids should learn something new, surprising and useful everyday! Kids should have memorable, exciting, creative learning experiences that make school a place where we seed opportunities for exploration versus completing a task (for the sake of task completion); an essential ingredient to this kind of a learning environment is that teachers are excited about making school feel this way and work hard every day in service of this
Everyone matters: All people want some level of control over what happens to them. Kids should play an important role in setting goals for themselves, making choices to shape their own educational experience. Every kid sees their fingerprints on the shaping of the school. Teachers know their students well and school leaders support them in meeting the needs of every student in their class. Every kid has their own unique team with a lot of people on it, including themselves. Parents need to be informed about their child’s experience in school and have meaningful input into that experience.
Practical info
In general, our doors are open from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m., except on Fridays in the winter, when we close earlier due to the candle lighting times for Shabbat.
Gan
Monday-Thursday
8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Friday
8 a.m.-2 p.m.
with half-day, early drop-off and extended day options
K - Grade 2 Core Program
Monday-Thursday
8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Friday
8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Grades 3-5 Core Program
Monday-Thursday
7:45 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
Friday
7:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m.
Grades 6-8 Core Program
Monday
7:45 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
Tuesday-Thursday
7:45 a.m.-4:05 p.m.
Friday
7:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m.
Early childhood
Toddler–Pre-Kindergarten
In our Toddler, Preschool and Pre-K classrooms, learning starts with play, wonder and caring relationships. Teachers nurture each child’s curiosity to build essential skills while fostering independence, empathy and confidence. Through songs, stories and celebrations, children explore Hebrew, Jewish traditions and the rhythms of the calendar in a warm, inclusive environment. These early years are all about discovering ideas, routines, friendships and themselves.
Lower Elementary
Kindergarten-Grade 2
In the early grades, students build the skills that shape confident learners and caring classmates. They learn to listen, speak, read, and write in both English and Hebrew, while exploring math, stories, and Jewish life with curiosity and joy.
They ask questions, share ideas, and begin to express themselves through writing and conversation. At the same time, they’re learning how to care for their things, ask for help, and form strong relationships.
Just as importantly, they’re learning how to be part of a community. Students gain the tools to grow, academically, socially, and as proud members of their community.
Upper Elementary
Grades 3-5
As students move through third to fifth grade, learning deepens and confidence takes root. They grow from learning to read to reading to learn—writing across genres, collaborating on projects, and engaging with ideas that challenge and excite them. Guided by caring teachers, students begin to reflect on their strengths, express their opinions, and pursue personal interests with growing independence. Academics stretch to include new forms of expression and critical thinking, while Jewish learning continues to shape their values and voice. It’s a time of purpose, perspective, and growing pride in who they’re becoming.
Middle School
Grades 6–8
Middle school at Schechter is a time of challenge, discovery, and growing independence. Students navigate a full academic schedule—seven subjects!—while building the organization, communication, and self-advocacy skills they’ll need for high school and beyond.
They dive into literature, algebra, classical Jewish texts, science, and more—developing their own voice across genres in both English and Hebrew. Teachers guide them closely, helping each student grow as a thinker, question-asker, and contributor.
Outside the classroom, electives, sports, and leadership opportunities invite students to explore their interests and show up as themselves. It’s a time for big ideas and honest conversations—about identity, purpose, and what kind of person they want to be.
By the time they leave, they’re ready for whatever comes next.
Arts and Athletics
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Paint. Perform. Produce. Repeat.
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97,000 square feet of space to run, play, and grow.
